Meta Global Accelerator

Overview

On December 6, 2024, Hawaii embarked on a groundbreaking journey in healthcare innovation with the launch of the Lokahi Healthcare Accelerator. This initiative, backed by substantial state, federal, and private sector support, represents a transformative approach to healthcare through AI-native solutions and unprecedented data access, becoming a national exemplar for health system modernization.

The Challenge

Hawaii faced critical healthcare challenges including:

Rising healthcare costs

Fragmented care delivery systems

Widening health disparities

Siloed and inaccessible healthcare data

Despite its progressive health policies, Hawaii lacked the unified infrastructure necessary to scale innovative solutions statewide and nationally

The Lokahi Initiative

Lokahi Healthcare Accelerator addresses these challenges by creating unparalleled access to anonymized and tokenized health data. Data sets include comprehensive claims data, EMRs, diagnostic and genetic information, pharmaceutical records, and public health registries. This data infrastructure provides robust support for AI-driven healthcare innovations.

Strategic Implementation

Key components of the Lokahi initiative include:

Data Access and Utilization

Anonymized and tokenized datasets covering claims, prescriptions (over 90% coverage), diagnostics, and genetic data.

Integrated data across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers.

Wide demographic and geographic representation.

Gamification through Hackathons

Initial AI-driven health solution prototyping.

3,348 global participants engaged.

135 development teams formed.

46 functional AI applications built.

AI Health Acceleration Program

Selected top teams from hackathons enter a dedicated acceleration program.

MVP development support.

Go-to-market strategy assistance.

Promotion of AI-native leadership in healthcare.

Funding and Support

Major Funding Sources

CMS AHEAD Program — $1.7 billion for All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development.

DHS MIX Program — $92 million for Medicaid Innovation and Xceleration infrastructure.

Partners and Leadership

Leadership under Dr. Jack Lewin, Administrator of Hawaii’s SHPDA, supported by:

State of Hawaii and Governor Josh Green.

Federal partners: CMS and DHS.

Commercial collaborators: ICON plc, WebShield, Tempus AI, Milliman, Amazon, EP3 Foundation, among others.

Strategic Advantages of Hawaii

Hawaii’s selection for this initiative was strategic due to:

Including the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act and integrated Medicaid managed care.

Historical Healthcare Innovations

Notably the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD).

Robust Data Infrastructure

Strong alignment with CMS objectives for value-based care by 2030.

National Healthcare Alignment

Expected Outcomes

Integration into an AI-driven marketplace, enhancing nationwide healthcare delivery, public safety, and research

Patient-Centric Care

Focused interventions targeting social determinants of health and underserved communities.

Enhanced Equity

Managing healthcare costs and improving care quality through advanced value-based models.

Financial Sustainability

Future Directions

Lokahi plans to:

Scale proven solutions statewide and nationally.

Prioritize underserved communities to embed equity by design.

Serve as a blueprint for nationwide healthcare transformation, promoting data-driven, AI-enabled healthcare reform.

Conclusion

Lokahi Healthcare Accelerator represents a pioneering shift towards AI-native healthcare, delivering substantial improvements in health equity, cost control, and patient outcomes. As Hawaii advances this visionary initiative, it sets a powerful precedent for nationwide adoption and sustained healthcare innovation.

“Join Hawaii’s healthcare revolution and be part of transforming healthcare for future generations.”